I remember when we were living in the Philippines; Clark Air Base to be exact, where my dad was stationed. My dad was a master sergeant not some colonel or general, and he was the greatest man I knew. I adored my dad. I think I was about 13 years old back then and I had the honor of being my dad’s golf caddie, somewhat different than some of the other caddies.

They were being paid for being a caddie. Me …I was proud to simply walk with my dad. It never really mattered where we would walk, just as long as we were walking together. He told everyone that I was his son and that was enough for me—to be his son!

I am sure you’re wondering why this distinction was so important to me. I mean, other boys loved their dads as well; for me it was beyond that. My mom and dad had adopted me! They were both very white, with white names and here I was an American Indian boy, given a white name.

One ongoing problem was that my dad seemed to get stationed somewhere else almost every three years or so. At Clark Air Base, we had six years to be stationed in one place. It was beautiful and serene, but the best part was being with my dad!

My dad spent a great deal of time teaching me all the finer aspects of golf. He taught me when I could talk and when to be very quiet and still, when to go and grab the flag and step away, when  a “put” was in order. I got to “tee off” on every game somewhere on the course; then my dad would explain how I should play the next hit. It seemed to me, that he was always praising me for a great shot, but if I wanted more distance, I should stand just so and he would explain more to me.

One day when I had to run his score card for him without any help from anyone. I remember what my dad told me; that on that day I needed to be on my best behavior and remember everything he taught me. We arrived at the golf course just at dawn (my dad’s favorite time to tee off).

I knew something was up because my dad was wearing his best golf clothes, best shoes and he had really cleaned up his clubs. My dad had gotten permission for me to tee  off …just for fun. I sliced it into the bag of a caddie, ahead of us.

“Hey kid…leave a little of the course for us!” And there was a pause, people were laughing. “Eat more bananas kid, they’ll stunt you growth!” I was not a very good person when people laughed at me and when I turned to face the person who had spoken to me, I was so surprised!

My dad was standing there with a big smile, next to the PACAF Commander and of all people, Bob Hope! All I could muster to say was “Thank you Sir!”

All I could think was, that’s MY dad standing there with Bob Hope. I was a good military brat, I knew who the PACAF General was and I was feeling truly honored to be there and a part of it all. I made very, very, sure I did my very best through the entire 18 holes. I got a handshake from the General and Bob Hope that day.

Of course Bob Hope played wonderfully, as expected and the General as well. My dad and I would huddle at times and I was able to remind him of where his troubled shots had been before. “Twist the club a little to the left and step back a couple of inches.” My dad would ruffle my hair and smile big-time.

The 18 holes ended with all of them being within a couple of strokes of each other and everyone exclaimed it was a wonderful round. Bob Hope told to me, “Next time you can be my caddie!” I answered “Thank you sir, but only for my dad!” He smiled and walked away. My dad simply beamed.

I know for a fact that Jesus Christ and God the Father and the Holy Spirit are actually one Person; just three different aspects or personages. I also know there is a fantastic relationship between Jesus Christ and the Lord God Almighty, His Dad, if you will. How unusual is it that God would create us and our world to resemble what HE holds dear?

Their relationship for example was tight, beyond our ability to understand, “like minds” if you will. And so it was with my dad and me; when golf was taking place, it was “like minds.”

Every day we can witness how God works things out and gives us examples of how we should be. Jesus Christ healed the lame and the sick and even rose the dead; the point to notice here should be HIS loving heart, HIS dedication to making us better through HIS love for us.

Those things—the miracles, would never have happened if HE did not love us. HIS love is so great that HE willingly walked to that Roman Cross on Calvary. HE took our beatings, HE took our death…Just because HE loves us.

Has it ever occurred to you that God has created everything in our daily lives to point us to where we need to be? If you are sitting in the house, then you are not standing on the curb outside. If you are standing up, then you are not lying in bed. Make sense? I am sure that is very simple to understand. I believe it proves to you and me that there is always just one simple decision that each of us must make.

Everything in our world is one way or the other; you are either happy or you are sad, but never both at the same time. That decision to follow Jesus Christ is exactly the same; you are either born-again to Jesus Christ…or you are not. According to your decision, you will go to heaven or to hell. Again my friends, it is always the same…one way or the other, there is NO in-between! Life proves that.

It will definitely be the same with the Rapture of Jesus Christ. You will either go in the Rapture or you will stay right here. I am not saying this—the Holy Word of God—the Bible, says it.

Matthew 24: 39-42 “And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

Luke 17:33-37 “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.”

The Bible—God’s Holy Word, is better than 4500 years old. People are always writing me and telling me in various ways, that God’s Word is no longer relevant in today’s times. So I ask them to look around, read the news and then search the Scriptures; read the prophecies and then tell me that again. I have yet to receive a reply to the derogatory. This is evidence the Word of God is TRUTH!

There is no doubt and the reason for that is this: God created everything and HE created everything to meet what HE wants! The problem is NOT with the Bible and most assuredly NOT with God! It is you and me; we are the problem.

My friends, we are able to compare relationships one with another, for the good or the bad. The one thing to remember is that it is a relationship! Relationships matter not only to you and me, but to everything, everywhere on this earth and it is this way because God chose for it to be so.

If relationships are so important to everyone, then why are there people trying to have a relationship with a things; like corporations, cars, a big house or big bank accounts…money? In those situations the relationship is one way, they love their money, but money is not able to love them in return.

Therefore, there is no relationship at all and then these same people wonder why they are so unhappy in such a great solitude… They have placed barriers between themselves and other people, but even worse, between them and God.

Think I’m wrong? How many movie stars have you met lately in Starbucks? Or would they ever think to go to a Starbucks, for fear of being mobbed? They wrought their own prison for themselves and it stands between them and GOD as well, and to think it is all for the love of money!

Or it could be for fame and fortune, a legacy of being a name in every home. The problem is, time marches on and they turn old and then suddenly…no one seeks them out. Or maybe it comes down to a disease that robs them of their lives. Old age is a disease, plain and simple. We simply begin to fall apart.

A third grader can explain to you the difference between 80-90 years and that of eternity which has no end. How is it then, so many can’t understand that putting your faith in a “thing” like money, is a futile attempt. Time will indeed catch up with you, there is an end to this life here on earth; it is death or the Rapture. So if a third grader has the answer, then what is wrong with so many of the adults?

My friends, it always comes back to a relationship. My dad and I had a really good relationship, but there were years when I would not see him, and now he is dead and buried. As much as I loved my dad and as good as our relationship was, death ended it for us.

The difference is that with God, that relationship can never be broken and when I die I will be with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and my dad, because my dad was saved to Jesus Christ.

For a moment, place the same properties of those two relationships on the one you may have with money…does it work for you? Yeah, I already know.

The saying goes, “Trying to do the exact same thing, as has been done all across the years and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity.” And yet, the entire population of the world tries to get rich easily and quickly. Ultimately, they fail.

There is one thing all people, regardless of status and wealth have in common…death. As we know, the spirit of that person, poor or wealthy, goes on into eternity. The wealth or lack thereof stays right here on earth, because wealth is not something that is spiritual.

I would much prefer to walk in my anonymity with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, while I am here on earth and then into eternity. Money may get me 80-90 years here and then it’s all gone. But then, what of my eternity?

Which is better, a relationship with someone who loves you and that you are able to love in return, or a relationship with a “thing?” If you don’t know, return to the beginning of this article and read it again. Better yet…read the Bible, see if your relationships are of any worth.

In the last couple of articles we looked at how pride can destroy you and make you look small, despite anything you may wish to do. In essence, if you choose a prideful direction, count on the Lord to see that you fail. By that I mean, if you belong to the world, you will be exalted, up-held, a contributor, aligned with their beliefs and thoughts. Therefore they will love you.

By the way, enjoy these years until your end as a human being. After that, the Lord already has plans for you! IF by chance, you belong to the Lord and you still choose to go with your prideful direction, count on the Lord to humble you as a disobedient child. It is to my discredit to have been humbled by my Lord a few times already. HE always knows what is and what isn’t righteous and good, for each of us.

My wife and I had a rather unusual “friend” (if you will) that was most manipulative in every- thing yet she would never lift her own finger to help herself, even if it was for her own good. One day her daughter was driving in a very hostile part of the city. She had car troubles and left the car where it began to fail. The friend then called me and asked me to go and get the car for her. Being born-again and a Vietnam Vet does not preclude me from getting shot for being somewhere I do not belong, thus I told her I would not go.

She then became verbally combative and I tried to explain my reasoning, for the most part to no avail. Finally I had to get a little loud and explain it again, a little more forcefully to which she then said that, “I talked her like I was a sergeant.” (Her husband had been in the army 30 plus years). Indeed the Lord loves you and has a purpose for you, but if you choose to be ignorant, HE may allow you to receive a most humbling experience. Ignorance is a very good teacher, if you survive its lesson. My dad used to say, “One should never let his mouth overload his skill level.”Pride…anyone?

Psalm 145:16-20: “Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.”

To walk with the Lord on a daily basis, requires that you adhere to HIS Word, the Bible and I do NOT mean only on Sundays, for an hour. It is to be a 24…7…365. To walk with the Lord, means for you and me to READ HIS Word and make it our everyday goal, to do as HE asks us to do. To paraphrase the last two articles on pride into one sentence, it would be that all things are for the glory of the Lord! If you notice there was no mention of you or me, receiving any thing. Suffice it that pride has no place with the Lord. Therefore it does NOT belong in us either.

Let’s stop and consider who created the universe, this planet, and you, and me. It was…it IS…it always will be…The Lord God Almighty! It should be no secret that the Lord works in everyone’s life, in every second of every day, and that applies to whether you or belong to HIM or not. Our president and the Congress, as well as you and I, can NOT have so much as a single thought…without God’s say so. It is also evident, we can NOT take the next breath of sweet air, without HIS consent to do so and this probably more evident with Christians than others, or at least it should be.

It is also evident that the majority of people living today do not adhere to that mindset, as is evidenced by the actions in their lives. The age old saying, “The bigger YOU think YOU are, the harder YOUR fall.” Trust me my friends, the Lord knows who they are and it would be wise to consider how many are in the pulpits of this nation teaching some other form of the gospel…than Jesus Christ!

Galatians 1:6-9: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-14: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtly, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

I don’t know about you, but the last three verses say what the Lord expects them to say and then leaves no stone unturned. Those of us who are born-again believers, already know that Satan and his ilk were thrown out of heaven, for their prideful endeavors to put their thrones above that of God. It didn’t work for Satan and it will NOT work for you or me! That being the case, it should be all the proof in the world, that we should NOT be pridefuleither…it will NOT be acceptable to the Lord God.

Is it not enough that our lives and its effects…already tell us this? You go out and have a party and drink booze to excess and what happens the next morning…a hangover! And to think for a moment, that you in your infinite wisdom…chose this for yourself. Pain should tell you this is NOT good for you. Let’s be honest here, I take a ball peen hammer and smack you on the pinky-toe, what’s going to happen? You are going to recoil in pain and then in some manner or the other, you will persuade me of the error of my way, right? How is that any different than the result of drinking? It isn’t.

I simply do not understand how the majority of the world, who think they are so intelligent and so enlightened…miss this simple concept. I remember as a kid, I saw a juggler at the fairgrounds, juggling while running chainsaws. Did the thought ever run through his mind that maybe that isn’t such a good idea? I know, he thinks he knows what he is doing. Stop and think for a moment, one slip is REALLY going to cost this guy! Same thing goes with the Bible. We are to search for that narrow path to heaven, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. If you miss the one correct choice of turn-offs to that narrow path, you miss the entire eternal life situation.

Let it be known, the Lord does not do that “spatial thinking thing.” HE leads you. HE does not come and tell you, like so many others, “Well…you go out this here road two miles and hook a left, nope…it’s a right, sorry. Then you just follow your nose and the beach will be right there in front of ya!” He says, “Well, I was looking for the narrow road to salvation in Jesus Christ, not the beach!” You reply, “Oh, oh, oh, sorry, I don’t know that!”

The Lord is there with you every step of the way, day in and day out, night in and night out, without end. You never have to worry about making a wrong turn.

There is one other thing, you may want to know. Walking with the Lord means you give up everything about you…to HIM! Because HE created everything, deals with everything all the time, HE gets the glory! Not YOU or me! Having said that, you now see how pride and prideful ways are absolutely against the Lord God.

Now you should understand why the “prosperity gospel” and the “feel-good gospel” as taught in so many churches are wrong; those who fall into any other gospel other than Jesus Christ whether in the pulpit or not—are lying to you. Read the Bible…and KNOW for sure. Then never take a single step away from the Lord. YOUR eternal life depends on it.